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From SG HDBs to JB condos: More Singaporeans are now ‘working smart' from across the Causeway by earning SGD income, but living RM lifestyle

Independent Singapore

6 days ago

Business
Independent Singapore

From SG HDBs to JB condos: More Singaporeans are now ‘working smart' from across the Causeway by earning SGD income, but living RM lifestyle

SINGAPORE: These days, a growing number of Singaporeans are ditching their HDB leases and office cubicles to do something a little more radical—live in Johor Bahru (JB) while working remotely for a company in Singapore (SG). It's the age of the borderline digital nomad—where your office view might be a private condo pool in JB, but your paycheck is still in glorious SG dollars. MoneySmart's Kesavan Loganathan explores whether this dream lifestyle is truly possible, or if it's just a Wi-Fi-buffered fantasy. So here's the scoop from what we got from him. 💸 SGD income + RM lifestyle = Financial flex For many Singaporeans, the JB digital nomad lifestyle feels like a cheat code to adulthood. 'Living in JB while drawing a Singapore paycheck sounds like the ultimate life hack,' Kesavan writes. From groceries to rent, the cost of living in Malaysia is significantly lower—up to 50% in some cases. Renting a condo with a pool in JB is around S$500+. A similar setup in Singapore could cost three to four times more. Factor in a favourable exchange rate (S$1 ≈ RM3.31), and suddenly, you're not just saving—you're upgrading. Think café brunches without guilt, private parking, and yes, maybe even a second car. 💻 COVID-19: The WFH (work from home) revolution opened the border (virtually) Before the pandemic, working remotely from JB might have been unthinkable. Now? It's surprisingly common. A survey of 1000 Singapore workers interviewed found 77% of them value flexible WFH options—and some even reject jobs without it. Employers, faced with a workforce increasingly fluent in Zoom, Slack, and quiet quitting, are adapting. JB's internet infrastructure has stepped up, too, with 5G coverage expanding across the city. 'Video calls and online work run smoothly on Malaysian broadband,' Kesavan noted. Plus, co-working cafés are on the rise, just in case your condo Wi-Fi throws a tantrum mid-meeting. 🚗 The commute: Manageable, if you play it smart Living in JB doesn't mean never seeing the Lion City again. Some remote workers cross the Causeway once or twice a month to attend meetings or catch up with colleagues. 'Off-peak, a car or bus ride across the Causeway can indeed take under an hour—quicker than some intra-island commutes in Singapore!' Kesavan points out. Of course, peak-hour crossings are a different story (2+ hours in jammed immigration lines). That's why smart nomads travel off-peak—or wait until 2026, when the RTS Link train is expected to zip commuters from JB to Woodlands in just 5 minutes. Until then, early birds and night owls win the border-crossing game. 🏠 Space, sanity, and second cars: JB living is pretty chill Let's talk lifestyle. A studio apartment in JB might cost around RM1,500 (S$400), and a 3-bedroom condo could be found for under S$800. For Singaporeans used to cramming into HDB flats, it's a spatial awakening. As Kesavan notes, 'Daily conveniences in JB are a mixed bag of pleasant surprises and slight adjustments.' You'll still get your bubble tea, food chains, and shopping sprees at Mid Valley Southkey—while also enjoying the kampung calm, night markets, and maybe a garden in your yard. English is widely understood. Grab drivers/riders are everywhere, and if you miss your team lunches, there are co-working spaces with free-flow coffee and surprisingly productive vibes. 📄 The (not-so-hot) fine print: Visas, taxes & employer rules Here's where dreams meet documentation. Yes, Singaporeans can enter Malaysia visa-free for 30 days. But if you're planning to actually live there, don't pull a monthly 'in-and-out' visa run unless you like awkward conversations with immigration officers. Here's your legal options: MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home): A long-term visa (renewable 5-10 year pass) for those with strong financials. Great for families, but requirements can be steep. DE Rantau (Digital Nomad Pass): Tailor-made for remote workers. It allows you to stay up to a year (with the possibility of extension) with proof of income—and you can even bring your spouse and kids. Bonus: If you stay in JB for over 182 days, you're considered a tax resident. But don't worry—foreign income (like your SGD salary) may be exempt from Malaysian taxes, especially if you don't remit it formally. Still, consult a tax pro. No one wants a nasty surprise in April. Just as crucial: Tell your boss. Some employers are cool with remote work from across the border. Others might raise eyebrows (or compliance concerns). In this case, it is the best policy and it's the most legally sound. ⚠️ The not-so-glam bits: Downsides you should know Before you run off to pack your bags and rent a JB condo, take note: Commuting can be a nightmare if done daily during peak hours. Border controls can throw a wrench into your routine (especially during pandemics). Services like banking, bill payments, and public transport aren't quite as frictionless as Singapore's. Social factors—you'll miss some impromptu meetups and birthday dinners. Employer perceptions may not always be in your favour. Only 16% of employers fully support long-term remote work. However, with planning, effective communication, and a dash of patience, these issues can be resolved. 🌏 So, is the JB dream worth it? In Kesavan's words, 'It's not about 'escaping' Singapore so much as extending your reach.' JB offers more than cost savings. It offers space, slower pace, and the sense of reclaiming life's simple pleasures without severing ties to Singapore. For many digital nomads, it's the best of both worlds: nasi lemak or roti canai breakfasts and SGD bank balances. The lifestyle's not for everyone—but for those willing to cross a border for a better work-life balance, JB might just be the affordable escape next door — just ask Afiq Zayany, a Singaporean Grab rider, who cracked the code to living large on a lean budget by living in Johor Bahru while stashing away six figures annually, while probably sipping teh tarik happily by the pool of his RM1.4 million (S$399,000) villa. As Afiq says with a shrug, 'To get this… I worked as a Grab rider,' and by 'this,' he means the dream—one many Singaporeans are still dreaming about. You can read more about his story over here: Singaporean Grab rider shares how he earns six figures and lives in a RM1.4 million villa in Johor Bahru

CNA938 Rewind - How to stretch your SG60 vouchers

CNA

01-07-2025

Entertainment
CNA

CNA938 Rewind - How to stretch your SG60 vouchers

CNA938 Rewind - TalkBack: JB-SG RTS Link - Will it encourage you to take the train instead of driving across? The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link marked a key milestone with the unveiling of its first train. As this long-awaited cross-border rail project edges closer to reality, will it encourage you to take the train instead of driving across? Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with transport analyst Terence Fan, Assistant Professor in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University. 25 mins CNA938 Rewind - Will we continue to see record-breaking million-dollar resale flat transactions? HDB flash estimates show public resale flat prices rose 0.9% in Q2 2025 — the slowest increase since Q2 2020. It marks the third straight quarter of moderating growth. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer at ERA Singapore. 14 mins CNA938 Rewind - How to stretch your SG60 vouchers The SG 60 vouchers rollout begins today – seniors aged 60 and above can claim $800, while those over 21 will receive $600. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Francis Chen, Account Manager at MoneySmart, on how to make the most of the vouchers. 10 mins CNA938 Rewind - Mary Sue - born to rap In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Singaporean rapper, songwriter and producer, Mary Sue, about his music and 16-track new album, 'Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword'. Sue will talk about the various themes brought up in the tracks like Oracle Bone Script and Crabs. He'll also talk about working and gigging with the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club and how they inspire each other creatively. Discover more Singaporean music and musicians – like Mary Sue – at an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon. 37 mins

CNA938 Rewind - Will we continue to see record-breaking million-dollar resale flat transactions?

CNA

01-07-2025

Entertainment
CNA

CNA938 Rewind - Will we continue to see record-breaking million-dollar resale flat transactions?

Tax returns simplified: Key dates, calculators and what you need to know

7NEWS

24-06-2025

Business
7NEWS

Tax returns simplified: Key dates, calculators and what you need to know

Tax time is about to inspire millions of Australians to dig through their drawers and emails for vital receipts and documents needed to lodge their 2024-2025 returns. Given cost-of-living pressures are weighing heavily on household finances, many taxpayers will be looking to maximise the refund they are entitled to, or minimise the bill they owe. But there are restrictions on what you can and cannot claim, and experts have issued a warning about the need to play within the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) rules. How can I prepare for tax time? Simply, your tax return is a summary of the income you have earned, how much tax you have already paid, and the expenses you claim each financial year (July 1 to June 30). It is also used to determine if you have paid enough tax to the ATO, the government's revenue collection agency. Australians can prepare for tax season by gathering your tax file number and information on bank account interest, and ensuring you have the correct bank account details where refunds are deposited. Pull together investment and private health cover records, as well as receipts for work-related expenses and tax-deductible donations you plan to claim. Money Smart, an initiative by the Australian Government, also provides an income tax calculator for those wanting an idea of what they can expect to either be owed or need to pay. For those working multiple jobs, it is important to remember you will need to declare all of your income sources. 'The ATO has access to sophisticated data tracking through its data matching programs,' Chartered Accountants ANZ's tax lead, Susan Franks, told 'These programs enable the ATO to match third party data with its own data to ensure that people are complying with their tax obligations as well as detect fraud. 'The ATO currently has 25 data matching programs which include information from investment property loans, motor vehicle registries and insurance companies. 'It can, and does, verify what taxpayers claim against these data sources.' When can I lodge my return? Australians can file their tax return from July 1 but experts say you should not get caught up in that date. That is because you want to make sure your document is complete and accurate before you hit the lodge button, to avoid a follow-up call from the ATO. CPA Australia tax lead Jenny Wong said it is not uncommon for early lodgers to have to amend their returns later, so holding fire can save you in the long run. 'Cost-of-living pressures could mean some people are eager to lodge their tax return as quickly as possible to access a refund, but it's important to be patient, gather your evidence and claim everything you are entitled to,' Wong said. 'Firing the starting pistol on your tax return too quickly means you could end up shooting yourself in the foot.' The ATO says taxpayers lodging online through government-run service myTax should wait until later in July because by then 'we will have pre-filled information into your return for you'. 'This includes information from employers, banks, government agencies and health funds,' ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson told 'Then, all you need to do is check that your details are correct, and add anything that's missing, like extra income from your side hustles, or investments. 'You can use the ATO app to check pre-fill information we receive from third parties and work out if you're ready to lodge.' How can I lodge a tax return? There is more than one way to prepare and lodge your return, including a paper tax return by mail, online through myTax or through a tax agent if you have more complex affairs, or simply prefer this method. More than 14 million individual tax returns were lodged in 2024. Of those, 5.9 million were lodged by self-preparers and 8.1 million were filed by tax agents. The average claim made by taxpayers is about $3000. Why should I lodge through myTax? The ATO has spruiked the benefits of this method, saying information from your employers, banks, government agencies, health funds and third parties are pre-filled by late July — meaning you just need to double check those details are correct. On top of that, it says myTax is conveniently available around the clock, and claims 'you'll get your refund faster, generally within two weeks'. For those choosing to lodge online, you can start by creating a myGov account and linking it to the ATO. Many will have already done this in previous years. I want guidance from a tax agent The majority of Australians still call on the services of a professional to lodge their return. Experts say that anyone would benefit from the knowledge of a tax agent, especially those with more complex financial and earning activities — think self-employed taxpayers or Australians with investment properties. 'Paying a professional tax agent to do your tax return is itself a tax-deductible expense,' Wong said. 'Engaging an expert to ensure you make the most accurate and comprehensive claims possible could increase your chances of securing a more substantial refund.' They can also steer you away from things you cannot claim, including the cost of getting to and from work, and regular clothing worn at work. New research from Xero, a panel of accounting and bookkeeping partners, shows 54 per cent of taxpayers worry about making mistakes on their return, and 51 per cent are confused about deduction rules, especially for car, travel, and working-from-home expenses.

Like father, like spender. What's your financial DNA?

News24

13-06-2025

Business
News24

Like father, like spender. What's your financial DNA?

Father's Day brings mixed emotions across South Africa. While some celebrate the men who taught them to ride bikes and told terrible jokes, for many—the day highlights a different reality. With a significant percentage of households lacking present fathers or traditional father figures, the concept of paternal influence takes on broader, more complex meanings. Yet financial DNA—those money habits and attitudes we absorb growing up—comes from somewhere. Whether from a present father, a grandfather, an uncle, an older sibling, a mother playing dual roles, or another guardian figure, our financial behaviours are shaped by those who raised us. This Father's Day, let's reflect on these influences, regardless of their source, and consider how they continue to shape our financial lives. The money habits we inherit without realising Think about it – how did the adults in your household approach money? Was there someone who meticulously saved? Someone who spent freely? Or perhaps there were conflicting money messages from different influential people in your life? Recent research suggests these patterns leave a deeper impression than we might think. According to a 2024 MoneySmart survey of 1,000 adults: • 78% of people who watched their caregivers save diligently now do the same themselves • 63% who grew up with impulsive shoppers have picked up identical habits • 59% raised by over-spenders continue to struggle with overspending 'We inherit far more from our role models than we might realise,' explains Lee Hancox, Head of Channel and Segment Marketing at Sanlam. 'Their attitudes towards money, their spending and saving patterns, and even the conversations they had – or didn't have – about finances at home all contribute to our own financial blueprint.' The most surprising part? Most of these habits form before we're even aware of them. The emotional money connection we don't talk about Money isn't just about numbers – it's deeply emotional. Think about how you feel when your bank account is comfortable versus when you're stretching to make ends meet. That emotional response has roots that likely go back to your childhood and the financial environment you grew up in. 'Whether we like it or not, we can all be emotional about money,' Hancox notes. 'If you grew up in a household where money was a constant source of stress, you might find yourself overly anxious about expenses, even when financially stable. Or you might swing the other way, spending impulsively as a reaction.' Quick reflection: Take a moment this season to consider: - How did money discussions feel in your childhood home? Tense? Non-existent? Matter-of-fact? - Who had the strongest influence on your money attitudes growing up? - When you make a large purchase now, do you feel guilt? Excitement? Anxiety? - How similar are these responses to what you observed in your household? Breaking the chain: Building your own financial legacy Understanding these patterns doesn't mean you're destined to repeat them. Recognising your inherited financial tendencies is actually the first step toward taking how you can start reshaping your financial DNA: 1. Decode Your Money Personality What kind of financial personality did you inherit? Are you a 'Prepared Protector' like someone who raised you, or did you develop a different approach and become a 'Spontaneous Buyer'? Sanlam's Money Personalities quiz can help you understand your money type. 2. Start Talking About Money If money was a taboo subject in your home growing up, you have the power to change that pattern for the next generation. 'We need to get better at talking to our children about finances from a young age,' Hancox advises. 'This openness isn't just about teaching – it's about building a healthy relationship with money.' Simple ways to start include explaining basic shopping decisions while at the shop, involving children in age-appropriate budget discussions, celebrating saving milestones together, being honest (in age-appropriate ways) about financial challenges Read more| How SA moms are revolutionising family finances 3. Create New Financial Habits Small, consistent actions build powerful new patterns. Start by establishing a budget that reflects your values, not just inherited habits. Set clear financial goals (both short-term and long-term). 4. Model What You Wish You'd Seen Remember that the children in your life are watching and learning from your financial behaviours – just as you did with the adults who raised you. 'Teaching good money habits is ongoing,' says Hancox. 'It takes patience, persistence, and repetition.' This season, as Father's Day approaches, take a moment to reflect on the financial influences in your life – whoever they came from. For those who had present fathers, this might mean acknowledging the direct impact they had. For those raised by single mothers, grandparents, or extended family, it means recognising the powerful financial lessons that came from these equally important relationships.